Math Stations, Mr. Weber, and Migration

We are quickly approaching our stick season.  Right now you can look up and see flocks of birds migrating and then look down and see the bristly wooly bear crawling around.  This week kindergartners explored the fascinating world of migration. Migration has been a mystery for a long time.  Aristotle claimed that some birds hibernated at the bottom of ponds! Students had fun creating Canadian goose puppets, practiced a V formation (which we learned is quite a skill), and wrote in our journals to share a fun fact that we learned.  

In Math, students explored several games.  These games worked on comparing numbers and the lengths of different objects.  Mr. Weber came in and introduced us to a new computer game called Happy Numbers.  This is a great program because it meets students wherever they are on their math journey and helps build and challenge their skill level.

This group of amazing kindergartners continue to blow me away with their work ethic in literacy!  Our writing time, whether it be in the classroom or the woods is peaceful and focused.  Students are working on story writing and are excited to share and illustrate these moments. Many students are working on adding sounds they hear in words to their pictures!  During our read-to-self time, students are enjoying these quiet moments where they immerse themselves in the books and songs that they love! 

Notes:

Scholastic book orders:

Place an order of $25 or more and you can pick a FREE $5 book (use code READS at checkout)!

Family Order Due Date: 11/08/23
SHOP OUR CLASS PAGE:  https://orders.scholastic.com/V4R4N
SHOP FLYERS: https://clubs.scholastic.com/all-flyers

It was lovely to sit down and chat with all of you during conferences.  Thank you for taking the time to share important details about your child and share your kind thoughts about how this year is starting off!  I can't wait to watch this sweet crew learn and grow!

I will keep this post short and sweet because this week's video is a bit longer. 

Notes:

Scholastic book orders:

Place an order of $25 or more and you can pick a FREE $5 book (use code READS at checkout) to add to your reader's TBR pile! Family Order Due Date: 11/08/23
SHOP OUR CLASS PAGE:  https://orders.scholastic.com/V4R4N
SHOP FLYERS: https://clubs.scholastic.com/all-flyers

Book orders will be sent home every couple of months.  

Looking for donations of:

• Hot cocoa, hot cups, 
• Also looking for suggestions/donations for privacy for our outdoor toilet for ECO.  It could be... a small pop-up tent, a folding partition,  or building a wall with lumber or sticks -which we could help build!  Thank you!

Open House, Butterfly Release, and Leaves

 🍂🍁🍂🍃🍂🍁🍁🍂🍃🍃🍂🍁🍂🍃🍃🍂🍁🍁🍂🍃

Greetings,

The leaves are wearing their true colors now and are beginning to drop.  On Friday we saw many flocks of geese fly overhead at UCS, all heading south.  We felt very lucky to release 3 of our Monarch butterflies into the wild this week.  We wish them a safe migration journey along with all of the geese!  

This week, we read about how the trees right now are pulling in all of the chlorophyll (the green color) which is nutrients for the trees to use this winter and spring.  This is all part of the life cycle of a tree.  Organisms, like a tree, have special needs that help them survive and continue to carry out their life cycle. Next week we will discuss what a habitat is and why that is important to organisms. 

In Literacy, we created a heart map.  A heart map helps students put their heart into their writing.  Students were asked questions like what makes you happy?  What do you like to do? Do you have a favorite memory or trip you have been on?  They then drew pictures of what they would like to write about.  Kindergartners will be starting to consider themselves as writers.  The first step in writing is drawing pictures. 

In Math, Kindergarteners were introduced to the 10 Frame.  This is a tool that helps us organize our counting.  We build from left to right and from top to bottom. We enjoyed using natural materials outside for this activity. 

It was very nice to see so many happy faces at the Open House this week.  Kindergartners were very proud to welcome you all into our classroom where they could show you the routines they do and the projects they have created.  I look forward to seeing you all this week at your conference time!

I have included our weekly video as well as a beautiful video that we watched in honor of Indigenous People's Day this week.  Students loved it so much that they wanted to share it with you!

 

Notes: 

Conferences this week!

UCS KIDS NIGHT OUT: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20th 5:30-8:30

(We will be closing registration for this event on Tuesday 10/17 in the morning, so sign up soon!)

Drop your UCS K-4th grader off on October 25th from 5:30-8:30 PM with Mrs. Bernier, Kat McGory (parent and PHS teacher), and Tiffany Cross (UCS Para) at the UCS Gym and Playground for outdoor play, pizza, and STEM activities.  The cost is $25 per student and the proceeds will go towards funding Math Through Art opportunities for third graders at UCS.  Sign up through the Google Form Here.   Questions? Email Mrs. Bernier at abigail.bernier@mmuusd.org for more information. 

 

It has been a colorful week with all of the bright sunshine and stunning foliage surrounding us all here in VT! May we all hang onto that through this not so bright weekend.   

This week in Literacy storybooks have been coming alive with imaginative puppet shows, felt boards, and projects! Kindergartners have done a beautiful job retelling some favorite stories.  I hope they have put on a puppet show for you this week!  

We have also begun our Sound Wall.  The sound wall will host all of the letters and the sounds they make.  These letter cards remind us what our mouths do when we say each sound. 

During Math, we continued to count objects, sort objects, and practice writing the #2 -which is a big curve, little line on our chalkboards.  

In ECO, we continued to add ribbon to our gorgeous loom.  Students were so excited to see the bag of donated ribbon to continue growing our weaving creation.  We also collected leaves and created a leaf person after we read Leaf Man.  Students continue to learn more songs each week, their sweet voices fill the woods! Maybe you have heard them sing or hum a tune or two!

Wishing you a safe and peaceful weekend!  Perhaps you will see a leaf person blowing by in the wind!  🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🙙🍂🍁

Notes:

Fall conference sign-up https://signup.com/go/BRtFPOb    

10/9: Indigenous Peoples’ Day (No School) 10/11: Early Release, 12:15 dismissal 10/12: Open House Morning, 7:30am-8:30am

A Forest Is A Wonderful Place

 

And just like that, we find ourselves being surrounded by the colors of fall.  The season of gathering, harvesting, digging out sweaters, and enjoying the last bursts of color before the stick season is upon us.  Our caterpillars have spun their chrysalises and we await their metamorphosis with excitement!

This week students completed their beautiful self-portraits with pride. We have been talking about how we are all unique and when we come together we create a magical community filled with many strengths and gifts. 

During Math, we have been counting different objects and building our spatial awareness with block patterns. 

In Literacy, we are retelling/acting out stories, learning basic concepts of how to look at a book, and how to share a book with a partner.  We are using journals to practice our fine motor and observational skills. 

ECO this week, students were introduced to the word Organisms. We explored the idea of a life cycle with a focus on plants and searched around for seeds.  Kindergarteners were thrilled when they found seeds that prompted them to create a garden in the forest.  On Friday we worked together to build a loom out in the woods.  Kindergartners were excited to help carry the lumber up to the forest and then watched eagerly as it was assembled.  Students then wove ribbons and natural materials together. It was a beautiful morning filled with teamwork and kindness.